PCH In Touch Newsletter Winter 2017

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InTouch Issue 29 Winter 2017

Who’s won a Beacon Award?

Page 9

Inside this issue Food for Thought Page 11

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Revised PCH shop hours Page 5

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We need people like you!

Page 4

Meet the Board Member Page 12

Hello In Touch

Call us on 0808 230 6500

Hello!

llow e P e n i Ela f the Board Chair o

You’ll soon start to notice there’s a theme running through this issue – New Year’s resolutions.

That can mean different things to different people. For some it might mean improving their health by eating better or exercising more.

PCH can help you here. In this issue, we’re introducing a new columnist. Resident Susan Drury’s Food for Thought column will provide an insight into healthy eating, cooking and shopping on a budget that still manages to be fun.

We’re opening our Plumer House gym to all tenants so if you’d like to find out how to get fit using our facilities, turn to page 5.

You may also resolve this year to do something more positive with your free time. We’ve got articles on volunteering (page 14) and how to improve your digital skills (page 4).

city council is cutting weekly bin collections later this year and encouraging us all to be a bit more greener – find out about this on page 10.

Did you nominate a PCH employee for a Beacon award? If so, find out if they’ve won in our report on page 9.

Plus catch up with the latest on our developments around the city and read what it’s really like being a board member – my colleague Katie McBride gives an interesting insight into this important role.

As always, please email us your news story ideas or comments to news@ plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk or call 01752 388082.

Elaine Pellow Chair of the Board

North Prospect Photo Club 2017

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Happy New Year!

Learn photography at North Prospect photo club in 2017.

Drop in taster session on: Tuesday 17 January (4:30-6:30pm) Sign-up sessions will take place every two weeks starting Tuesday 31 January 4:30-6:30pm.

For more info or to sign up contact Jo Maddick on josephine.maddick@ plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk or info@photonow.org

If your resolution is to recycle more, you’ve got a good excuse now. The

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Inside 4 We need people like you!

4 Could you be the next member of our Resident Scrutiny Team?

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7 Southway development taking shape 8 North Prospect update

9 Beacon Awards 15 #OurPCH

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InTouch

Competition winner Christmas came a bit early for June Iles when she enjoyed a free meal at one of the city’s eateries.

before Christmas.

June, who has been a PCH tenant for more than 40 years, correctly guessed Peter Gorton and was randomly picked as the winner.

We sponsored the Frankfort Gate event as we run the shops in the area and try to support traders where we can.

She said: “We had a nice meal. I had saffron rice with prawns which was June, of Lipson, entered our lovely – I could have eaten more of competition in the autumn issue of In that. My granddaughters really liked Touch to win a meal up to the value of the garlic bread. It arrived on this big £100 at Il Capriccio in Frankfort Gate. wooden board and they thought that was great.”

We asked readers to name the Michelin-starred chef who was June was particularly pleased to win cooking at the city’s Family Food the competition, as she explains: “I Fayre and Trail in Frankfort Gate in hardly ever win anything. The last October, which was organised by the time was 50 years ago when my Plymouth City Centre Company. daughter was a baby – I won a doll.”

She took her daughter and twin granddaughters to the restaurant

We’re the proud new owners of an estate

We’ve just got bigger with the transfer of almost 100 social rented properties.

We’ve acquired 89 social rent homes in Little America and three in other parts of the city from Stonewater Housing Association. The sale includes estate management responsibilities for a further 100 privately-owned properties in the area.

Mr Clark continues: “We believe we were approached by Stonewater because, as well as being the largest Plymouth-based landlord with around 15,000 homes, we have a strong track record for managing social housing and providing quality services to our residents.”

John Clark, Chief Executive for PCH, explains: “Buying homes in Little America helps us towards achieving our ambition to grow the number of social housing properties we have available for residents of the city.”

Elaine Pellow, Chair of PCH’s Board, said: “Tenants joining us will be able to enjoy all the other benefits being part of the PCH community brings – free training and job clubs, resident involvement opportunities and community events, not to mention an excellent repairs service and housing staff close at hand if needed.”

The transfer by Stonewater is part of their plans to streamline their national property portfolio and focus their efforts in areas where they own the largest number of homes.

Stonewater consulted with tenants about the transfer and gained agreement from the Homes and Communities Agency before going ahead with the sale.

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Looking to move soon?

Here are some things you need to do before you leave your PCH home: Make sure rent account and repairs charges are paid in full Get together four weeks’ rent in advance Ensure your home is in a good state of repair Sort out any anti-social behaviour complaints with your housing officer To find out more, call us on 0808 230 6500.

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In Touch

Could you be the next member of our Resident Scrutiny Team?

Joanne Bowden hopes so – as she has had an interesting time since joining the team.

She said: “Being on the Resident Scrutiny Team has given me the opportunity to develop new skills and make a difference to the way that PCH carries out its business. It’s given me the chance to meet other residents and show them you can be more involved and have a say.”

This may mean looking at service

standards, policies and procedures, interviewing tenants and staff and visiting areas where a service is provided or even visiting other providers to see what they’re doing.

The role includes attending meetings, reading documents, reviewing performance data and considering how improvements might be made.

Contact Leanne Eastwood on 0808 230 6500 or email leanne.eastwood@ plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk.

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We need people like you!

Over the next few months we will continue to tell the fascinating untold stories of our residents so we can celebrate Plymouth’s social housing heritage – more than 100 years since the first estates were built.

This is where you come in. Perhaps your parents or grandparents were housed in North Prospect after the war and your family have lived in social housing ever since? Maybe your family moved here to work at the Devonport Dockyard? Or perhaps your family history has uncovered some interesting Plymouth links?

If so, we want to hear from you for a series of short stories we are producing. If you have an interesting story that we can uncover, covering two or more family generations in Plymouth’s social housing, please get in touch.

Email us at news@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk with the subject heading ‘Resident History’ by 28 February 2017 to be considered.

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Go digital in 2017

Barbican resident Gillian Chapman started her New Year’s resolution to get to grip with all things digital a little early.

Gillian has been attending a pop up class at the Barbican’s St Saviour’s Church to learn more about technology.

She said: “I knew absolutely nothing about computers when I started. I could not even close them down properly. I’d just press the off button.

“I’ve gone from being frightened silly to learning to send and receive emails, researching family history, catching up on the news and spending too much time playing Mahjong!

The classes are great because I’m mixing with other people too.”

The class is one of a number of courses run by our Communities team across Plymouth.

They take place in our city centre shop in Frankfort Gate, at our head office in Crownhill and at various ‘pop up’ locations throughout the city.

We also work with the library service and other organisations to find free opportunities to get you online.

If you want to learn some new digital skills this year or set up your own local computer group, please contact the Communities Team on 0808 230 6500 to find out more.

“Jo and Hazel from the Communities team have dragged me into the 21st Century.

“It’s opened up a whole new world for me. Now, as soon as I come home I want to check my emails. Six months ago that would never have been on my radar.

“It’s funny because years and years ago I was a phone operator and used to using machinery but as you get older you can lose a bit of confidence.

Residents join in at one of our computer clubs

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In Touch

Whether you want to lose weight or just feel more healthy, we can help you achieve your goals.

supervises users while they are exercising.

We have a gym at our Plumer House headquarters in Crownhill. Up to now, it has been open to tenants living close to Plumer in Whitleigh, West Park and Honicknowle.

He said: “I’ve known a few people to come and use the gym who suffer from depression at various levels.

They say that coming here and being with like-minded people really helps them.

We’re now opening it up to all PCH tenants – wherever you live in the city. The gym is free to use for PCH tenants

“It’s almost like a social club with some gym equipment thrown in.

Many people say they won’t go anywhere near a city centre gym.

Facilities include cross-trainers, exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, free weights, a dual pulley machine, benches and steps and various exercise balls.

“A lot of them can have upwards of 50 people in them. We usually have around five. We’re a lot more relaxed.”

You will need to take part in a 25-minute induction before you can begin using the facilities.

The gym is currently open on a Tuesday and Thursday from 9.45am to 11.15am. Sessions are limited to 12 people and users must be over 18.

Personal trainer Henry Littlewood carries out the inductions and

If you would like to use the gym call 0808 230 6500 and ask for reception.

Revised opening hours for PCH shop

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Is getting fit one of your resolutions for 2017?

Our shop in Frankfort Gate is no longer open on Saturday mornings following a review of customer demand.

The shop is now open at the following times: Mondays to Thursdays: 8.30am to 5pm Fridays: 8.30am to 4.30pm A recent review showed an average of just nine customers in the last 12 months used the shop on a Saturday.

If you have an out of hours emergency, you can still contact our repairs service on 0800 917 9459.

If you’d like to speak to someone in person, our Plumer House headquarters is open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

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Council Tax tip Did you know you can pay your council tax over 12 months rather than the usual 10?

This may help if you want to reduce

your monthly payments.

This applies to anyone and not just those affected by the Benefit Cap or on benefits.

If you would like to change your payment plan, contact Plymouth City Council on 01752 668000.

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In Touch

Community-minded photographer opens new premises

Businessman Denis Smart is juggling lots of balls but he’s always ready to do his bit for the community.

Denis, who runs photography business Studio 65 in Delamere Road, Eggbuckland, recently moved into the premises, which is one of around 200 commercial units we own across Plymouth.

As well as taking traditional individual and family portraits, Denis hires out a photo booth, bouncy castle and candy cart for outside events and

parties.

people to pay £200 for an image.

He also works closely with Plymouth costume company Scarey Knights, which sees people dress up as superheroes at birthday parties and events like DevCon at the Guildhall – Denis is their official photographer.

“We want to be community minded.

We help people who have learning difficulties learn the basics of using a camera. It’s as much a social opportunity as anything. We also work with four or five local schools to offer work experience to pupils.”

But Denis says giving back to the community is just as important as making money.

He said: “We’re trying to appeal to families on a budget. We don’t expect

Denis runs Studio 65 along with his wife Susan, who sells bags, purses and gifts at the front of the Delamere Road shop.

Learn for Free Training Courses

We’ve run courses in first aid, computers and hairdressing to name a few If you are interested in finding out more, please call 0808 230 6500 and ask to speak to the Communities Team or visit plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/how-to-get-involved

The next leaflet is out in February

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Southway development taking shape

These are the latest photos of the work taking place to build 67 new homes on the old Southway Campus site in Skerries Road.

The photos were taken at the beginning of December as In Touch went to press.

should be standing and some should have cladding, windows and doors.

Scaffolding should have appeared on a further couple of plots. The houses are built using timber frames.

school.

To keep the community up to date with what’s going on with the development, we’re holding monthly coffee mornings on site on the last Friday of every month.

John Taylor, Galliford’s site manager at Southway, said: “Week on week we expect the same sort of progress but The events are a chance to find out The scheme is being built by our it all depends on the wind. That can more about the development, ask contractor Galliford Try and is being put us behind – it’s our worst enemy.” questions and view plans. They start marketed as Porsham Heights. at 10.30am in the site office. The next As part of the development, we’ve one is on 27 January.

It will feature 55 houses and 12 flats, also provided 16 parking spaces with 42 homes for rent and 25 for in roads around the site following shared ownership sale. the demolition of nearby garages and are building up close links with By the time you read this, nine homes Beechwood Primary Academy, a local

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Work begins on £11.6m Passivhaus scheme

We’ve started work to build 72 low-energy homes in the city.

heating due to the high levels of insulation and air sealing.

We’ve appointed Mi-space to build this Passivhaus scheme in Bodmin Road, Whitleigh, which will provide a range of one bedroom flats and two and three bedroom houses.

The development is being marketed as Primrose Park and will include 23 homes for shared ownership sale while 49 homes will be let at affordable rents.

The properties will be built using Passivhaus design principles which will provide residents with a home that needs minimal energy for

We’ve visited nearby Brook Green Centre for Learning with Mi-Space to explain to pupils what we’re doing and seek suggestions for road

names.

Through this contract Mi-Space is required to create at least three new apprenticeships and safeguard a further nine, as well as to move three people into permanent employment.

The site, which was formerly occupied by Woodland and Hillside Schools, is due to be completed in spring 2018.

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plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch please remember to report repairs to us so we can maintain your home over the next couple of years.

North Prospect update Phase 3 Following the demolition of homes in Wordsworth Road and Crescent, a number of drains have been found on this phase of the site.

forecast to start in December 2017 and to complete in July 2018 – this is likely to be affected by the drainage issues.

Phase 4

We’re working with South West Water to develop a new drainage plan for part of the site.

We’ve now leased six houses in Phase 4 - three to the City Council and three for market rent. We still intend to demolish houses in Phase In other parts of the phase, foundation 4 and for this reason it’s more cost slabs are being poured and the first effective for us to use empty homes in new houses are appearing. The work this way before the phase starts. to improve the Wolseley Road bluff has been tendered and we expect It also means residents feel less this part of the project to start on site isolated and it deters anti-social in the next few weeks. behaviour.

The handover of new homes was

Phase 5 The rehousing of tenants and residents is still on pause while we wait for the outcome of our bids for funding.

In the meantime we continue to maintain empty homes and tenants should report repairs to PCH. While the rehousing programme is on pause, there’s a lot of work going on in the background and we’ve committed £310,000 to progress Phase 5 over the next few months.

For example, we’re completing land surveys which will tell us more about the ground conditions before we get into design and planning.

If you’re a PCH tenant in Phase 4

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Great start to New Year for mum and her girls detached homes we’ve built in Wren Gardens.

so it’s an area I know well. It’s really nice to come back.

She was delighted to accept an offer on the three-bed home – especially as it means she can get her wheelchair easily around it.

“We’ve got a garden here too so it’s ideal as I’ve got two dogs.”

Features of both homes include interior lifts, sliding doors, a car port with charging station for mobility scooters / electric wheelchairs and shower seats.

Claire said: “It’s a big improvement.

We were in temporary accommodation before in a two-bedroom flat. One of my daughters had to share a bedroom with me.

It’s been a real homecoming for tenant Claire Parker (pictured above) “It was very small and as I’m in a and her daughters who’ve moved back to Plympton after 11 years in the wheelchair I couldn’t move around.

The shower was not disabled friendly. city centre.

Claire and her girls are the happy tenants of one of the two new semi-

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“I used to live in Plympton years ago

Nigel Pitt, Chair of the Development Committee at PCH, said: “These homes are brilliant.

“They have really good room sizes and they’re very well thought out in terms of space to move around.

“These homes mean people can maintain their independence even with a severe disability.”

The previous homes on the site were affected by subsidence and were uninhabitable.

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Beacon Awards 2016 And the winner is…

Throughout the year, we’ve been asking you to nominate PCH members of staff who’ve gone the extra mile to help you.

Our Beacon Awards ceremony was held before Christmas to honour those employees.

We considered a range of nominations from across the business, including compliment letters, emails and social media messages.

The finalists were invited to the Plymouth Guildhall to receive their awards and runner up certificates.

The evening was hosted by Michaela Richards, former newsreader and presenter for Heart FM Radio, our Chief Executive John Clark, our Chair Elaine Pellow and local Olympic diver Tonia Couch.

Morley Court residents nominated Communities Worker Hazel Alexander, who won the Beacon People’s Choice Award.

Patricia Smith, who sits on the Morley Court residents’ committee, said: “It’s brilliant that she’s won. She really brought everybody together.

“She helps us to get things done and she’s always got a smile on her face.

She’s a people’s person.”

For a full list of winners, please see below: The Beacon People’s Choice Award Winner – Hazel Alexander (Communities) Runners Up – Chris Gifford (Homes and Neighbourhoods) and Angela Huelin (Housing with Support) The Beacon’s Top Colleague Award Winner – Jeff Winn (IT) Runners Up – Gideon Eade (IT) and Neil Coutts (PCH Manufacturing) The Beacon’s Customer Service Award Winner – Teresa Roach (Customer Services) Runners Up – Steve Hill (Repairs and Regeneration) and Gavin Sutton (Development) The Beacon’s Star Behind the Scenes Award Winner – Keleigh Stevens (Communications) Runners Up – Leanne Eastwood (Governance) and Ian Johnston (Finance) The Beacon’s Outstanding Contribution Award Winner – Mark Bailey (Homes and

Neighbourhoods) Runners Up – Kim Taylor (Environmental Services) and Tracey White (Development) The Beacon’s Management Award Winner – Kevin Obbard (Repairs and Regeneration) Runners Up – Paul McGarry (Homes and Neighbourhoods) and Charlotte Schraibman (Housing with Support) Chair’s Choice Award Winner – Sue Wood (Commercial Premises Team) Runners Up – Jay Vickers (Communications) and Belinda Pascoe, Leanne Eastwood, Alice MacLean, Laura Moss and Jill Kinder (Governance) CEO’s Team Award Winner – PCH Manufacturing’s Love Life Team Runners Up – Environmental Services and Incomes and Recovery Team We hope you will continue to nominate staff during 2017, as we’re planning a similar event next year.

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Tumble dryer safety At this time of the year, we’re more dependent on tumble dryers than at any other time.

Cold, wet weather means hanging clothes up for long periods on the washing line is not always an option.

In the last year or so, there have been a number of reported tumble dryer fires around the country, including three at PCH homes in the last year.

Safety notices were issued for 4.5million Hotpoint, Creda, Indesit, Proline and Swan appliances due to the risk of fire caused by fluff coming into contact with heating elements.

More information Want to find out if you’ve got a recalled tumble dryer or any other electrical item? Go to www. electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk where you can also find a qualified electrician.

Always register a new appliance with the manufacturer. That way you can be contacted easily if a safety recall is required. Visit www. registermyappliance.org.uk.

Andy Fox, Fire Safety Manager for PCH, said: “Some manufacturers have said that people can carry on using affected appliances as long as they’re in the room with them – we do not recommend this and neither does the Fire Service.

“If you think you have an appliance that has been recalled, please stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer. In one of our properties, the resident suffered from smoke inhalation and across the country there have been more serious fires.”

Here are a few tips for looking after your tumble dryer to ensure you and your family stay safe: • Clean out lint and fluff from the filter and around the dryer door after every use.

• Watch out for scorching or burn marks, and check for loose or worn wires.

• Have your dryer serviced annually by a qualified engineer.

• Never overload the machine – take large or bulky items such as duvets to the dry cleaners.

• Always allow each drying programme, including the “cool down cycle”, to complete fully.

• Don’t stop the dryer before the end of the cycle unless all items are quickly removed and the door is left open to disperse heat.

• Leave clothes contaminated with combustible substances such as solvents, grease, oils or fats out of tumble dryers.

• Don’t leave dryers, dishwashers and washing machines on overnight. If possible, unplug or switch off appliances at the socket overnight and when going out to avoid the risk of an electrical fault causing a fire.

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Changes to bin collections Don’t forget, Plymouth moves to alternate weekly bin collections from May.

responsible for bin collections – will be stepping up its recycling message over the coming months.

This means you will need to put out your recycling bin one week and your non-recyclable waste the following week.

At PCH, our team of rangers are also doing their bit – by looking at ways of preventing flytipping and recycling more.

It’s hoped the change means there will be a big increase in recycling among the city’s residents.

Kim Taylor, Area Manager for Environmental and Landscaping Services, said: “Flytipping is an eyesore and there is a cost to us.

Our rangers are exploring ways to

Plymouth City Council – which is

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prevent it in our neighbourhoods.

“We have been locking places where people have been storing rubbish and we’re also using mobile CCTV to capture instances where people flytip.

“We’ve trained up our rangers to separate waste so more items can be recycled and we’ve recently bought some plastic buckets for things like crockery to go in so they can get taken to our Re-use Centre.”

Food for Thought Tandoori chicken and sauce

It’s written by Devonport tenant Susan Drury, a member of our resident editorial panel – a group of PCH residents who contribute to the content of In Touch.

You’ll need a pack of Tandoori Masala seasoning. Mix a quarter of the packet with enough plain yogurt to make a marinade for a family pack of chicken thighs, 6 – 8 pieces. Skin the chicken. Add the juice of one lemon to the yogurt mix and massage it into the chicken. Leave in the fridge for at least two hours.

Each quarter, Susan will be sharing her extensive knowledge of food and cooking in these pages.

Cook in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes.

Check it’s done with a fork, juices will be clear.

It’s a new year and we’re introducing a brand new column for In Touch readers.

Before moving to Plymouth, Susan had a small bakery and market garden, selling in farmers’ markets as well as a catering business.

For the sauce blitz more plain yogurt with a seeded green chilli, a few cloves of garlic, some cucumber and fresh coriander or mint.

Susan kicks off her column by talking about the small changes you can make if you want to live a healthier lifestyle…

To serve add any combination of the following; brown rice, naan, fresh tomato salad, green salad, lemon wedges, sliced red onions. On the off chance there’s any chicken left, it freezes well.

You’re picking the last bits of tinsel off the dog when it hits you. Your trousers have shrunk again, hills seem a bit bigger and you’re afraid of your shoelace coming undone in the street because there’s nowhere to sit.

small. Walk before you run, literally, then take longer walks. When that becomes easy, look into gym/running club/sport. You may have to wait until next year to run that marathon, but you can get there, gradually.

Right then. You drag yourself out of that comfy armchair and announce you’ll be running the London Marathon. Or you’ve decided to go on one of those diets that promise you will lose a stone by next week. This is only possible if you have a body part amputated. If you believe in the fairy tale diet, it may as well be your head because you’re not using it anyway.

We can change our food habits, a bit at a time. Try to think in terms of improving nutrition, rather than just counting calories. I’ve been rethinking the potato. Let’s face it, it’s at its best deep fried or slathered in butter. The orange sweet potato has more flavour and doesn’t crave butter.

So, back here on planet Earth, think

they’re right. Cauliflower ‘rice’ is lovely with broad beans and ribbons of courgette; the mash is lighter than potato and frozen cauliflower is cheap.

A bit more on cheap food. We are, rightly, urged to eat more whole grains. That doesn’t have to mean buying something expensive that we can’t pronounce. We have cheap and cheerful home grown barley and oats.

You will fall off the chocolate biscuit wagon and there will be days you’ll slouch back into that armchair and I know those impossibly lovely women watch a box set. Don’t worry. You’re on TV go on about ‘clean eating’ but working towards being happier and when it comes to cauliflower, I think healthier, not perfect.

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Meet the Board Member: Katie McBride

Over the next 12 months we’ll be bringing you a profile of each of our Board Members so you can get to know more about those at the heart of the organisation who make the big decisions for PCH. They’ll tell us how they’ve found their time at Plymouth’s largest social housing provider and what they see for the future of the city In the time Katie has been a Board Member she has seen PCH face a number of challenges but is also immensely proud of the identity we’ve created as one of the key organisations in the city.

Katie grew up near Okehampton where she attended the local community college. It was during her school years that she took an interest in criminology and psychology. It was this interest that led Katie to first move to Plymouth as a student studying Criminal Justice and Psychology at Plymouth University.

Katie tells us about her first impressions of Plymouth: “We used to go to Plymouth on the bus when I was a youngster. I couldn’t believe how big it was. It was at a time when stories of Swilly and Union Street were rife but I was intrigued more than apprehensive. I worked part time

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while studying and slowly got to know the city better and it wasn’t anything like I expected. There was so much happening here and it was such a beautiful place.”

Katie’s first job was on a Safer Schools project working with the youth offending team. The project aimed to break down barriers between the police and young people and offered support to families with more chaotic lives and usually a history of contact with the Police.

Katie went on to work as a Gypsy and Traveller Liaison working with families on the roadside and on sites.

Katie then moved to a Social Inclusion unit, establishing hate crime reporting systems and again working with Gypsies and Travellers. She then took up an Equality Development Officer position, eventually becoming Chief Executive.

It was here that she heard about the Board Member position at PCH: “I was told about the position that the Board had available and that they had identified a skills gap in Equality and Diversity, so it seemed like a natural step for me. I applied for the position and was interviewed.

“I saw the position on the PCH Board as an opportunity to help people in Plymouth and housing in its broadest sense had been such a big part of my life up to this point. I was fully aware of how much people depend on having a secure roof over their heads.”

Once accepted onto the Board, Katie describes her first Board meeting: “In a word – daunting! There was a buddy scheme in place which was brilliant as there was someone I could check in with about anything I was unsure about. PCH were well into working towards the promises we

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk made at transfer and so it took a little while to get to grips with where we were as an organisation but I loved discovering what was happening behind the scenes.

“We can see how much pressure people are under in their day to day lives with living expenses going up and wages not making the equivalent rises, and welfare support being slashed. We are conscious “I feel like I have a role to play in not to ask too much of people when being a voice for communities and I they get involved but we do offer real do check that balance to ensure that opportunities to have a say on the people are at the centre of the things that matter to families and to decisions we are making.” communities. So if people want to get more involved I’d encourage them In 2012, Katie found out she was and if they don’t – then just tell us pregnant with her first child and gave what’s putting you off so that we can birth to Etta. She was given a leave of do better – because we can always absence while on maternity leave with do better! an option to come back when she was ready.

“It’s a challenging time for many right now, and the focus on reducing public Katie came back less than 12 months spending in all areas has put new later, showing a real commitment to pressures on housing providers as PCH. I ask her why she decided to well. But we’re determined to rise to continue as a Board Member: “PCH the challenge. were so supportive when I was on maternity leave as they knew the pressure I was under as a new parent. I was never in any doubt about coming back though because as far as I was concerned the job wasn’t finished for me.

InTouch “Our success at PCH will be in trying new things, being agile and efficient – balancing our efforts to increase housing provision while maintaining standards for our current residents.

We’ll need to work with new partners in different ways to get the best deal for our residents and the future of housing in Plymouth.”

So what is it that makes Katie proud of being a PCH Board Member?

“I was able to have a more flexible approach to how we do things at PCH, like Skyping in for the odd meeting. When I did return I was given a phased return which helped me immensely, I was really enthusiastic to be back and knew it would be a hard challenge but it was a challenge I relished.

“I think PCH has grown and matured as an organisation – it feels more confident in itself and established from the crowd. At first it felt like we were living in the shadow of the council, but now we have created our own identity and are recognised across the city as a leading housing provider.”

So what is it that makes Katie proud of being a PCH Board Member?: “I am proud to be Chair of the Customer Focus Committee which is such an important part of how we ensure our people and communities remain central to all that we aim to achieve at PCH.

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Taking those first steps to volunteering since.

“I really enjoy meeting different people and having a chat.”

If 2017 is going to be the year that you get a new job, volunteering could be the first step towards achieving that.

Volunteering helps you gain valuable skills and experience with an organisation that interests you, improves your CV and helps with interview skills.

It can also be a good networking opportunity and you may even make new friends.

Volunteer Graham Stott says he has a new-found confidence since helping out at Ernesettle’s Tea and Toast Café.

Graham serves up refreshments at the PCH-run event. He said: “Leigh Ferguson asked if I’d like to volunteer and I said yes. I’ve been doing it ever

If you want to find out more about volunteering opportunities locally, see the Volunteer Plymouth advert below.

First Steps to Volunteering Programme INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? ALREADY VOLUNTEERING BUT WANT TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS? Volunteer Plymouth and the WEA have joined forces to offer The First Steps to Volunteering programme 

This programme gives you the opportunity to complete a WEA/Volunteer Plymouth certificated two day course: Volunteering: The Key Skills followed by:



A one to one Information and Advice session; including volunteer matching if not already volunteering



3 months support with your volunteering from a Volunteering Mentor

Venue — Plymouth Guild, Ernest English House, Buckwell St, Plymouth.

Dates: TBC, please contact Ali Jones to be added to the waiting list.

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This programme is free to anyone over 19 who is interested in volunteering or who is already a volunteer but is keen to develop their key skills.

For more information about the programme contact Ali Jones on 01752 241070 or email firststeps@plymouthguild.org.uk

#OurPCH

Lots of you have been telling us what you think....

In the run up to Christmas, we held a craft fair in aid of Jeremiah’s Journey.

Our Plumer House headquarters was the venue for the event, which raised more than £1,200 for the charity.

Volunteers ran stalls selling homemade craft items including jewellery, cards and decorations and there was also a well-visited cake stand, raffle and competitions to name a teddy bear and count the sweets in a jar.

Visitors, like this girl pictured, also got the chance to make some crafts themselves.

Toy Fair success North Prospect became the North Pole as Father Christmas came to visit and give out presents to families at our annual Toy Fair.

The Beacon in North Prospect was full of families enjoying the festive spirit, with food, games and face painting all on offer. Star of the show was Santa’s Christmas Grotto where he was accompanied by his Christmas elves.

We’ve held a Toy Fair in different areas for the last three years, using people’s new and good quality donated toys to wrap up and give out to children in the area. Each year the fair has been met with positive feedback thanks to the generosity of our staff, contractors and local businesses.

Mum Gemma Sutton said: “Our children really enjoyed themselves and were ecstatic at the presents received from Santa.”

Regen SW

@RegenSW Congratulations to @BritishGas @PlymCommHomes for winning the best energy efficiency building scheme this year #GreenEnergyAwards

Tonia Couch

@toniacouch Can’t wait for @plymcommhomes event today. I hear @pchmanufacture have made Hollywood lights for me!

apprenticeships4me

@Apprentice4me Great to see @Skills_Group #apprentices enjoying their #BusinessAdministration roles at @PlymCommHomes

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Contact numbers

Plymouth City Council contacts

Repairs: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990

Enquiries (including waste and out of hours) 01752 668000

Out of hours repairs: 0800 917 9459 (5pm to 7am) Debit/Credit Card Payment Line: 0844 557 8321 Head Office: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990 City Centre Shop: 01752 389778 Anti-social behaviour out of hours hotline: 0800 028 7377

Report fly tipping 01752 204147 Housing options 01752 305496

Newsletter Translations English This information is available in other languages and formats - Please contact: 0808 230 6500 Arabic :‍هذه Ř§Ů„Ů…ŘšŮ„ŮˆŮ…Ř§ŘŞ Ů…ŘŞŮˆŮ ŘąŘŠ بلغات ŮˆŘľŮŠŘş أ؎عى – يع؏ى Ř§Ů„ŘŞŮˆŘ§ŘľŮ„ مؚ‏

0808 230 5600 Chinese Mandarin čŻĽäżĄć Żĺ?ŻäťĽäťĽĺ…śäť–čŻ­č¨€ĺ’Œć źĺź?ć??äž›â€”â€”čŻˇč ”çłťďźš

Czech Tyto informace jsou k dispozici v jinĂ˝ch jazycĂ­ch i formĂĄtech. Kontaktujte, prosĂ­m: 0808 230 6500 Farsi ‍ ﯽ اﺪﺡﺎﺑ ŘŞďşŽďť‹ďťźďťƒŘ§ ﺑ ﺎﺎﺑز Ůˆ لﺎﺡا ﺎد ﺰ ﺑﺎ ďŻ˝ďşłďşŽďş˜ďşłŘŻâ€Ź. ‍سﺎﺗﺪﺋﺎ  ﺎďť&#x;Ř§ďťŚďť”ďť ďş— ﺎﺑ‏ ‍ﺝﺎﺣ‏: 0808 230 6500 French Ces renseignements sont disponibles dans d’autres langues et formats – Veuillez contacter: 0808 230 6500 Hindi य༇ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ ऌस ༠रༀ भञजञऔं और परएंऌ་ं ऎ༇ं भༀ उपलएऌ ŕ¤šŕĽˆ ༤ ककरपञ इस नंऎएर पर ऍ་न करༀŕ¤?: 0808 230 6500 Hungarian Ez az informĂĄciĂł mĂĄs nyelven ĂŠs formĂĄtumban is elĂŠrhetĹ‘ – kĂŠrjĂźk, vegye fel a kapcsolatot: 0808 230 5600 Kurdish ‍ه Ů… ﺎعﺎاز ه ن ﺑ ﺎز ﯽﺎآ ﺜﺎﺗ ďşˇŮˆó˛ €ďŻźŘ˛Ř§ďťŽ ŘŚďťŞďťœďťłŘŻâ€Ź-‍ ďťŞďťłďşŽďťœďş— ďťŞď­˜ ه ﯟﺪ ďťŞďťœďş‘ ﺑ‏: 0808 230 6500 Kurdish Badini

:â€Ťâ€ŒŘŞŰŽÚŠŮ„ŰŒŰŽâ€ŒŘ¨ÚŠŮ‡â€ŒŮ†â€ŹŘŒâ€Ťâ€ŒŘ¨ŰŽâ€ŒŘ˛Ů‡â€ŒŮ‡Ů…Ů‡â€ŒŘŞâ€Ź.â€ŤŘŚŮ‡â€ŒÚ¤â€ŒŘ˛Ř§Ů†ŰŒŘ§ŘąŰŒŮ‡â€Œâ€ŒŘ¨â€ŒŘ˛Ů…Ř§Ů†â€ŒŮˆâ€ŒŮ Ű†ŘąŮ…Ř§ŘŞŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŘŻŰŒâ€ŒÚ˜ŰŒâ€ŒŰŒŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŮ‡Ů‡â€ŒŰŒŮ†â€Ź

0808 230 5600 Lithuanian Ĺ i informacija prieinama ir kitomis kalbomis bei formatais – praĹĄome kreiptis: 0808 230 5600 Nepalese य་ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ अनŕĽ?य भञडञ र ढञञठचञचर༂ऎञ पनन उपलएŕĽ?ध रच༇ क་ छ - ŕ¤•ŕĽƒŕ¤Şŕ¤Żŕ¤ž सऎŕĽ?पकक गनच नक ་स ŕĽ?: 0808 230 5600 Polish Ta informacja moĹźe być dostÄ™pna w innych jÄ™zykach i formatach. ProszÄ™ kontaktować numer telefonu: 0808 230 6500 Portuguese A informaçao aqui apresentada esta disponivel noutras linguas e formatos, por favor contacte: 0808 230 6500 Russian Đ­Ń‚Đ° инфОрПациŃ? Đ´ĐžŃ Ń‚ŃƒĐżĐ˝Đ° на Đ´Ń€ŃƒĐłĐ¸Ń… Ń?Сыках и фОрПатах – Đ&#x;ĐžĐśĐ°ĐťŃƒĐšŃ Ń‚Đ° Ń Đ˛Ń?ĐśĐ¸Ń‚ĐľŃ ŃŒ Ń : 0808 230 6500 Spanish Esta informaciĂłn estĂĄ disponible en otros idiomas y formatos; por favor, pĂłngase en contacto en el 0808 230 6500 Turkish Bu bilgi baĹ&#x;ka yabancÄą dil ve formlarda mevcuttur - Bu numarayÄą arayÄąn: 0808 230 6500

Plymouth Community Homes Plumer House Tailyour Road PL6 5DH T

0808 230 6500/01752 237990

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info@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

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plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk twitter.com/PlymCommHomes facebook.com/PlymouthCommunityHomes

Plymouth Community Homes is a registered provider under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014.

Registration no: 30637R.